The Uprising

by L. J. Suarez

  Thousands of settlers were assembled at the gate by the time Mace and Ava arrived. Mace had never seen such a sight before. Every man and woman ready to fight was here with a mix of weapons in hand. He was impressed by what Gareth and the other guards were able to achieve in just two days. The elders as well as the children would remain at the settlement with a handful of guards to watch over them.

  A nagging thought persisted inside Mace. Is this enough. Standing beside their leebacks, Bishop, Gareth, Emerson, and the rest of his squadron had on their combat garb as well as the M16s hanging from their backs. Wrapped around each of their wrists were the old wrist bands they’d once worn back in Old Lazarus. They would use them to keep in contact during the operation. Since Empyreum was three days away by leeback, Mace and Ionne would stay behind in New Lazarus with the airship to give the ground forces enough time to reach the Capital’s borders.

  Bishop marched over to Mace. “Ready to ride out.”

  Mace nodded. His eyes darted toward the first row of settlers, who were either already on their leebacks or standing next to them. Many of them carried the old-world flags representing their origins. Among the assembly were Sue and Alex, suited up and equipped with a bow and arrow and sword, respectively. Despite Mace’s suggestion to use the more powerful M16s, they were loyal to their own fashioned weapons. While most had determined looks on their faces, he knew what settlers all felt inside—fear. Mace wondered what Aaron would say to them to rally them up, or at the very least ease their nerves if only just a bit. He stood in front of the first row of armed settlers and guards with Bishop beside him, and the light chatter among the crowd dissipated as all eyes fell on him.

  Taking a breath in and placing both hands behind his back, Mace began, “I’m not much for speeches, so I’ll try to say this as quick and as best as I can.” He could see the vapor in his breath while he raised his voice so it carried toward the back of the masses. “I know what most of you are feeling right now—nervous about what you’ll be facing in the coming days, maybe even afraid that you might not make it back here. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t feeling the same way. If my father—our leader—were here now, he would say something inspirational to you. I could sure hear it myself right about now. The one thing I can tell you is that he’d be proud of all of you for coming together to rise up against a common cause, just as much as I’m proud of you. For two decades we’ve hid in our own little corner of the world while the Nads continue to reign over it. They sent their drones to our doorstep, then their soldiers came crashing through our home and nearly demolished it without provocation. I don’t know about you, but I’ve had enough. We’ve sat back as they forced us to into exile after a plague they created nearly killed us all. We lost a lot of our friends and family during those dark times. Even to this day, the Nads continue to push us with no end in sight. They think we’re a mistake that needs correcting. I say it’s time we did some pushing back.” He could tell by their fixated stares that the settlers in the front row were hanging onto his every word. “They’ve ruled over our world for far too long. That stops right now. Earth belongs to us. We were here first. It’s our job to remind them of that. I know this is a lot to ask for many of you, as this would be the first fight you’ve ever been in. But I need your help and your courage to step up to the plate and do what needs to be done. No matter what happens, we stay together, and I promise you that we’ll get through this thing. Let’s make them regret they ever brought us back from extinction.”

  The crowd erupted into cheers, waving M16s and a collection of spears and swords in the air. The remaining settlers mounted their leebacks with newfound strength. Bishop turned to Mace and said, “I’ll contact you once we’re in position.”

  Mace reached out for Bishop’s hand and gave it a firm shake. “Good luck out there. See you in three days.”

  “Good luck to us all.”

  As Bishop climbed onto his leeback, Mace noticed Ava standing there in silence. Though her face was unreadable, he knew exactly what she was thinking. “I guess it’s my turn to watch you leave.”

  She failed to hide the smirk forming on her lips. “It’s a bad habit we need to break.”

  “Yes we do, once this is all over.”

  Ava said nothing to that; her eyes lowered to the ground while she fidgeted with the M16 hanging over her shoulder.

  Mace took a few steps close to her and placed an affectionate hand on her cold cheek. “This is going to work.”

  After a pause, she replied, “Just don’t get yourself killed, alright?”

  “Yes ma’am.”

  Ava pulled Mace’s face in for a long kiss. Climbing onto her leeback, she and Bishop led the pack of their new army through the open gate. Once the last leeback passed through, Mace stood in the middle of the gateway as he watched them ride off toward the Northern Regions where Empyreum lay.

  * * *

  The New Lazarus infirmary was little more than a circular stone hut.

  Inside, Ionne moved slowly toward a bed placed against the wall where Aaron’s unconscious body rested. The guard who had escorted her there stood by the doorway to the infirmary, while the settlement’s doctor, who went by the name Grant, stood next to a wooden table inches away from Aaron.

  “How long has he been unconscious?” Ionne said.

  He looked up at Ionne with suspicious eyes. “Ever since they brought him back from the border. We’ve done everything we could for him. Gave ‘em some home remedies to suppress his fever. It’s all I can do for him.”

  Ionne scanned the crude instruments on a nearby, candle lit stand consisting of sharp bladed objects. She said in a cold fashion, “With these instruments, it is no wonder there is little that can be done for him here.”

  “Well, maybe if we were in your lab in Empyreum there would be something you can do. But this is the best I can do with what I have.” Grant stormed out of the hut.

  Ionne regretted her insensitive comment, then moved closer to the bed. She gently placed her hand over Aaron’s. He lay motionless, with his eyes closed and his chest moving steadily. Ionne was at a loss for words, seeing Aaron in the state he was in.

  She drew a breath and said, “Well, old friend, we seem to have a habit of always meeting in dire circumstances.” She smiled, allowing a tear to roll down her face. “I never wanted this for you. For any of you. I somehow feel responsible for what has happened. If I had done something sooner with the Shadow Order, if I would have seen the signs before this madness had ever started, perhaps you would not have left Empyreum in the first place. You would not have suffered so much out here. So much loss of life. I have been ignorant of a great many things.”

  She wiped the tear from her cheek. “Mace has grown to be an exemplary young man. Strong like his father. He has also turned out to be quite the leader. I can tell the settlers trust him. You should be proud. It seems he also has a lot of hate in his heart, which is clouding his judgment. I suppose we are partially to blame for that. But I promise you this: no matter what happens, I will protect him and the others as if they were my very own. I swear this to you.”

  Ionne sensed someone standing behind her. She assumed it was the doctor returning, but was surprised to see that it was Mace himself. Ionne didn’t know how long he’d been there or if he’d heard everything she had just said aloud. Ionne took a step toward Mace. “I implore you to reconsider your actions, Mace. Allow me to take your father back to Empyreum so we can treat his injuries while there is still a chance. Enough blood has been shed already. End this now before any more lives have to be sacrificed.”

  Mace’s face seemed to give away the conflict he felt inside, his eyes darting to the floor. But he instantly snapped back to his stern composure.

  “It’s too late for that, Ionne.” He turned to the guard in the room. “Take her to her bunk.”

  Ionne’s head dropped as she was escorted out of the room while Mace hovered over the unconscious Aaron. Any chance of getting through to Mace was l
ost. War was now inevitable.

  Chapter 32

  Taking in the beautifully wild scenery, Ava allowed herself to savor the crisp breeze brushing across her face while standing on the edge of the mountaintop. The flapping of feathers from a nearby flock of birds increased in tempo as they flew off toward the mountains in the west. The serenity of her surroundings made her want to stay here for eternity. This would be the last sense of peace she would get to enjoy before the imminent battle that lay ahead—one that she knew they were outmatched in. Luckily, Ava and the ground forces had managed to traverse throughout the Outlands without incident for the past three days. She brought the binoculars Bishop gave her back to her face and zoomed in on Empyreum’s circular structure. The city’s immense towers and other buildings reached toward the heavens, the light of the sun reflecting off its peaks. Air traffic was at an all-time high as thousands of airships flew in and out of the Capital. Empyreum looked like a mirage from this distance. A sudden sense of apprehension crept up inside Ava when the realization finally hit her: in seven hours’ time, she would be setting foot in a place she thought she’d never return to again.

  Ava heard footsteps behind her, but didn’t need to turn her head to see Bishop standing beside her. “Just spoke with Mace to let him know we’ve reached the main perimeter. He and Ionne are preparing to depart for the Capital. We’ll leave in an hour and head the rest of the way.”

  Ava looked back at the guards and settler warriors gathered around one another, taking shelter underneath the trees further in the mountain. Their dirt-filled, sleepless expressions spoke louder than words ever could. “They look so tired. You sure they’re ready for this?”

  “Don’t let their appearance fool you. They’ll be ready.” As he said this, Bishop took out his own binoculars and looked upon their destination. A slight grin appeared on his lips. “In just a matter of hours, it’ll all be over.” With that, Bishop returned to his squad inside the foliage.

  Ava turned back to the distant Monad city, once again alone with her thoughts. Bishop’s reassurance did little to ease her concerns. What am I getting myself into?

  * * *

  “Sir, I have something,” said a Monad operator. Inside Empyreum Security Central’s monitoring station, a Monad officer walked over to the operator who sat in a reclined seat. It was one of dozens of seats lined up in a row on either side of the white, windowless room. He studied the holo-feed hovering before his subordinate. Thousands of tiny red dots appeared on the screen, all crammed together and slowly moving downward.

  “What is it?”

  “I’m detecting surface movement coming from the south. Fifteen miles from us.” With the tip of his fingers, the operator expanded the image of the red dots. “Nearly ten thousand life-sign readings.” He looked up at his superior. “All human. They are on a direct course to the south wall.”

  The officer gulped at the realization.

  The monitoring station received real-time surveillance from the orbital satellites over Gaia. Not only did the satellites monitor all air and ground activity throughout Gaia’s surface, but also interstellar traffic throughout the planetary system.

  “Show me the south wall,” the officer ordered.

  On the operator’s holo monitor, the image suddenly switched to a full display of Empyreum’s outer south wall. A portion of the wall faced a riverbank flowing down from the mountains.

  The officer pointed his finger toward the bottom of the wall. “Close in on that section.”

  The monitor zoomed in on a single, tube-like structure protruding out from the glass wall. The officer’s suspicion had been confirmed when he realized what he was seeing. “They are heading for the drain outlet. Very clever. How soon will they arrive?”

  The operator scanned the monitor. “Based on their current speed, approximately seven hours.”

  The officer stood in silence as he contemplated his next move.

  “Shall I raise the alarm?” the operator said.

  “No yet. Deploy the sentry drones to the south wall. They should be able to take them down with ease. I will inform Councilor Saavi of the situation. Continue monitoring their movements.” The officer turned and headed out of the room. Despite showing a calm and dismissive attitude toward the humans making their way to his city, inside he had a touch of fear. They had technological superiority in their favor, but the humans had vast numbers on their end as well. He had read the reports of what transpired at the settlement during the rescue attempt of the Jafner survivors. With their limited and inferior weaponry, they’d managed to hold their own with Empyreum’s best security troops, even killing their former leader, Constable Rylan.

  The officer hoped that they would be victorious in holding the human barbarians at bay.

  * * *

  Mace approached the airship sitting near the main gate with an M16 swung over his shoulder. Holstered to his belt were his bow and trusty dagger. Aaron’s body lay on a stretcher being boarded onto the ship through the open rear ramp. He had received word from Bishop that he and the New Lazarus army had reached their position, waiting for Mace to make his way to Empyreum before they continued on the rest of the way to the city. Ionne stared from below the ramp as the guards secured Aaron inside. She turned to Mace.

  “Is the bomb secured inside?” he asked.

  Ionne nodded with reluctance.

  “Good.” Mace noticed Reed coming down on the dirt path. He no longer wore his traditional committee robes. Instead, had on a brown jacket with a black shirt underneath that matched his pants. Mace looked him up and down. “Dressed a little informal today.”

  Reed’s face was serious. “That’s because I’m going with you to Empyreum.”

  Mace was surprised by Reed’s statement. “I don’t think that’s…”

  Reed raised a hand, stopping Mace mid-sentence. “I know. It’s too dangerous for a codger like me. But if any negotiations are to be made with the Monads, I should be the one to do it since I’m the most qualified. Plus, Aaron is my friend, and I want to see that he gets the medical care he needs.”

  Mace had no time or desire to argue with Reed. “Alright. Have it your way.” He turned and walked up the ramp of the airship with Ionne and Reed following behind. He took his seat in the copilot’s chair while Ionne linked her NIs to the controls. Once the settler guards who helped strap in Aaron had exited the ship, the ramp raised upward, and sealed the occupants inside with a weak hiss. Ionne sat in quiet protest, staring out through the forward window of the rectangular cockpit.

  “Let’s go,” Mace ordered, reminding Ionne who was still in charge. She complied with Mace’s demands. The airship roared to life and levitated off the ground. As the craft gained altitude and banked it to the side, Mace took one last look at home from his side window. The ship rocketed off into the skies, leaving New Lazarus behind dark clouds. Mace turned to Reed, who was seated on a bench stacked against the compartment wall, while Aaron’s stretcher was fastened at the center of the compartment. Behind them was the green metal case containing the B83. Mace hoped the Monads wouldn’t force him to call his bluff. But he knew he couldn’t hesitate. One way or another, this conflict would come to an end.

  Chapter 33

  It was the hour of accord at the Capital.

  Every midday, the vast majority of the Monad population would engage in a mindfulness exercise regardless of where they were. A practitioner of the exercise would sit on the floor with legs crossed and close their eyes as they focused on their breathing. A Monad would use this hour not only to commune with the Archivist when the omnipresent AI was still online and give thanks for their good fortunes, but also to achieve an inner state of stability.

  Kora had her own way of practicing the centuries-old tradition.

  She sat alone on a ledge at the upper levels of the Promenade district. Her hydro-cycle hovered idly next to her. She let out a long sigh as she looked down, her legs dangling over the ledge as hundreds of airships zoomed by below, along
with dozens of sky bridges linking Empyreum’s skyscrapers together. Kora would come to this spot often, as no one knew of it. Despite all the noises of air traffic both above and below, she found this spot to be the most peaceful in the city. In a bizarre way, she thought by coming up here that she would find the answer she had sought for many years.

  Where do I belong?

  It wasn’t an uncommon question for a Monad—especially after their connection with the Archivist was severed. But beyond that, Kora knew that something had changed inside her. One thing was for certain: Kora was not a typical Monad. Unlike in her youth, she had grown to be quite rebellious in her adult years, even by Monad standards. Her parents took notice and were naturally concerned for her. Kora knew they meant well, and she also realized she needed to find the answers for herself. She wasn’t sure if it was due to her exposure to humans when she was a child in school that reshaped who she was.

  There was one human she became close to who left her life as quickly as he’d entered it. Mace. Kora thought of him often. The last time she saw him was when they were both children. His parents had taken him out of the Capital and into the Outlands, along with the rest of the human residents. She only hoped that wherever he was now, he was happy. But most of all, that he was safe.

  Something caught Kora’s attention from the corner of her eye; an image on the master feed plastered itself along the side of a building. The feed showed something which caused her breath to shorten. On the big screen overlooking the Promenade, footage which seemed to be taken from a drone showed an overhead view of Empyreum’s outside wall. Hundreds of figures riding on top of furred creatures were advancing toward the wall. The figures grew from a dozen to hundreds, and quickly to thousands. More images from the master feed manifested along the surface of other buildings throughout the district. Kora pulled up the feed on her personal holo screen over her sleeve.

  She then heard a voiceover on the feed reporting on what was transpiring, but the air traffic noise around Kora prevented it from being audible. It was an emergency alert, and the text beneath the screen read: Unknown assailants spotted outside Empyreum.